FOR: IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: 
Harry Miller Jr., Executive Tournament Director
Robert Schmerbach, Assistant Tournament Director
Randy Schmerbach, Communications Director
P.O. Box 145
Bellevue, IA 52031
Telephone (319) 773-8882 
e-mail: rwalleye5@aol.com

MOTHER NATURE SHOWS HER FORCE AS THE WALLEYE ANGLERS TRAIL (W.A.T.) KICKS OFF 2002 IN SPRING VALLEY, IL.

Spring Valley, IL-37 Walleye Anglers Trail(W.A.T.) teams gathered at Spring Valley, Il to take on the Illinois River for the 2002 season opening event on Saturday and Sunday, March 9th and 10th. 

37 teams launched Saturday morning from the Barto landing. 

The team of Lenny Valabities, Westmont, IL and Cadmen Povtes, Westmont, IL brought in 5.61 lbs. to claim 1st place and the cash payout of $1500.00. A complete listing of prizewinners is as follows:
1st Place: 5.61 lbs. $1500.00 Lenny Valabities, Westmont, IL & Cadmen Ponvtes, Westmont, IL
2nd Place: $1000.00 Jerry Manning, Maquoketa, IA & Dennis Manning, Maquoketa, IA
3rd Place: $ 640.00 Jason Doeseckle, DeSoto, WI & Paul DeVoss, Dodgeville, WI 
4th Place: $ 380.00 Troy Patterson, Trempeealeu, WI & Dale Radcliffe, Onalaska, WI
5th Place: $ 300.00 Jay Motszko, Arcadia, WI & Rick Bryson, Arcadia, WI
6th Place: $ 225.00 Chad Carroll, Chicago, IL & Mike Konrath, Chicago, IL
7th Place: $ 150.00 Denver McKinnon, Lake in the Hills, IL & Bob McKinnon, LaCrescent, MN

On Saturday fisherman were greeted with 50 degree temperatures and calm winds that deteriorated to temperatures in the lows 20's and wind gusts topping 50+mph. Waves on the Illinois River swelled to 6-7 feet, as the river rose over 4 feet, and floating debris caused navigation concerns.

Executive Tournament Director Harry Miller Jr. and Assistant Tournament Director Robert Schmerbach want to thank all participants for the great display of sportsmanship and camaraderie for their fellow competitors. The number one concern became making sure that all fisherman were able to get off the water safely. 

The Walleye Anglers Trail now heads to Genoa, WI for tournament number two of the season on April 6, & April 7, 2002. Last year 36 teams fished pools 8,9,10 on the Mississippi River. The team of Marc Hinkel and Tim Cadd weighed 29.56 lbs for the tournament victory. 

All Walleye Anglers Trail events are qualifying events for the Cabela's National Team Walleye Championship event. Membership is required to fish in Walleye Angler's Trail events

Membership is $10.00 per person per year. Membership and Tournament information can be obtained by writing to Walleye Angler's Trail at P.O. Box 145, Bellevue, IA 52031 or e-mail at rwalleye5@aol.com